Gwybodaeth Modiwlau
Module Identifier
LC38120
Module Title
Psychological Explanations of Criminal Behaviour
Academic Year
2025/2026
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
Reading List
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Essay 2000 Words | 50% |
| Semester Exam | 1.5 Hours Multiple Choice Exam | 50% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Essay 2000 Words | 50% |
| Supplementary Exam | 1.5 Hours Multiple Choice Exam | 50% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Identify the main sub-disciplines of psychology and explain how these relate to an explanation of different offending behaviours.
2. Demonstrate a systematic understanding of the complexities of using specific psychological theories, solely or in combination, to explain criminality.
3. Critically evaluate psychological explanations of criminal behaviour to specific offences and offence types.
4. Demonstrate the ambiguity and limitations of psychology in explaining criminal behavior.
5. Critically analyze and evaluate the literature on psychological explanations of criminal behaviour.
Brief description
This module will build upon the principles introduced in Elements of/Introduction to Criminology and provide an in-depth consideration of past, current, and future developments in the examination of offending behaviours from a psychological perspective. The module will permit students to choose to study the more complex elements of psychological explanations of criminality and thus build on the basic principles introduced in the first year and assimilate them into a broader explanation of criminal behaviour.
The module will cover the main branches of psychology (such as developmental, social, cognitive, environmental, and biological) and elaborate upon how they further our understanding of criminal behaviour. Students will be introduced to the leading research in each area and the current developments in the field. Each branch of psychology will be illustrated by reference to a range of specific crime types to allow the application of basic knowledge to various sub-types of offender.
The module will cover the main branches of psychology (such as developmental, social, cognitive, environmental, and biological) and elaborate upon how they further our understanding of criminal behaviour. Students will be introduced to the leading research in each area and the current developments in the field. Each branch of psychology will be illustrated by reference to a range of specific crime types to allow the application of basic knowledge to various sub-types of offender.
Content
1. History of psychology sub-disciplines and forensic/criminal psychology.
2. Developmental issues and criminal behaviour.
3. Social psychological explanations of criminal behaviour.
4. Personality and individual differences associated with offending.
5. Cognitive psychology and offending.
6. Biological explanations of criminal behaviour.
7. Environmental/evolutionary explanations.
8. Explanations of specific crime `types' i.e. sexual offending, violence, gangs, arson.
2. Developmental issues and criminal behaviour.
3. Social psychological explanations of criminal behaviour.
4. Personality and individual differences associated with offending.
5. Cognitive psychology and offending.
6. Biological explanations of criminal behaviour.
7. Environmental/evolutionary explanations.
8. Explanations of specific crime `types' i.e. sexual offending, violence, gangs, arson.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Through the analysis of research findings students will develop an appreciation of the role that measurement of psychological concepts plays in the development of theory. |
| Communication | Oral communication will be encouraged during interactive seminar discussions on various key aspects of the module - not assessed. Written skills will be developed through coursework task. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Interactive lectures and seminars will encourage the critical and lateral thinking of students with exercises planned to deliver a range of opportunities to facilitate the learning of abstract concepts, and will allow students to reflect on their own learning. |
| Information Technology | Searches of on-line electronic databases and journals will provide practice in IT skills. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Preparation for seminars and the assessed assignment will develop time management skills; collation of sources for assessment will nurture research skills; appreciation of complex theoretical issues will develop critical thinking skills. |
| Problem solving | The assimilation of a range of complex theories will develop students problem-solving abilities and a range of interactive exercises in lectures, seminars and the assignment will encourage lateral thinking. |
| Research skills | Research skills will be developed by accessing and critically analysing literature on the psychological explanations of criminal behaviour. |
| Subject Specific Skills | This module provides students with the opportunity to identify, analyse, evaluate and practice a series of skills with respect to the psychological explanations of criminal behaviour |
| Team work | Small group work within seminars will foster team working |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 6